Audio and Video Technicians salary in California
Audio and Video Technicians in California earn a median of $64,620 a year ($31.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,690 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $58,100. California ranks 6th of 49 states for audio and video technicians pay. There are 0.51 audio and video technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $73,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for audio and video technicians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,950 | $19.21 |
| 25th percentile | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| Median | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| 75th percentile | $87,450 | $42.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,690 | $58.02 |
| Average (mean) | $73,150 | $35.17 |
Half of audio and video technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,385 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,692.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,485.38 |
| Weekly | $1,242.69 |
| Hourly | $31.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Audio and Video Technicians salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $75,540 | 1,370 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $73,100 | 380 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $68,940 | 70 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $64,900 | 4,710 |
| Salinas, CA | $60,390 | 100 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $59,470 | 750 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $58,380 | 490 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $58,130 | 60 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $57,600 | 280 |
| Fresno, CA | $57,560 | 100 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $56,790 | 40 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $55,290 | 40 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $54,690 | 70 |
| Vallejo, CA | $54,060 | 50 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $52,680 | 130 |
| Modesto, CA | $49,600 | 40 |
| Visalia, CA | $48,450 | 40 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $46,350 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for audio and video technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $78,770 |
| New Jersey | $71,040 |
| Maryland | $70,040 |
| Washington | $69,270 |
| New York | $67,600 |
| California | $64,620 |
| Rhode Island | $64,070 |
| Nevada | $62,770 |
| Connecticut | $62,120 |
| Alaska | $62,060 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Film and Video Editors | $88,490 | $42.54 |
| Photographer | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $106,900 | $51.39 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $78,150 | $37.57 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $64,550 | $31.04 |
| Lighting Technician | $94,070 | $45.22 |
| Broadcast Technician | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Editor | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Art Director | $137,780 | $66.24 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-4011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a audio and video technicians make in California?
The median salary for audio and video technicians in California is $64,620 a year, or $31.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid audio and video technicians make in California?
The top 10% of audio and video technicians in California earn at least $120,690 a year. The top 25% earn $87,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for audio and video technicians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,950 a year, and a quarter of audio and video technicians earn $48,230 or less.
How many audio and video technicians work in California?
About 9,280 audio and video technicians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.